The sun has got this hat on

"“Even after all this time, the Sun never says to the Earth, "You owe me."" Hafiz

Asos Striped top-similar here

Topshop Brown Hook belt-similar here

Benetton Navy Midi Skirt-similar here

 

 

Aw what a lovely day it is on this Tuesday afternoon!  It looks fantastic as I look out the windows of my office! *sigh* The joys of being an adult and having a full time job.  I really love my outfit today! I never would have thought to put this outfit together before this challenge.  No word of a lie but I have had this skirt 7 years.  I bought it for a christening when I was 18, wore it with a white sleeveless poloneck.  It looked awful.  You know when you were younger but going to a mature event and you try to dress older but you dress like a 50 year librarian.  Yes, that is what I looked like.  I threw out the white sleeveless poloneck but for some reason all these years I kept this skirt.  I haven't worn it till I wore it with my denim shirt. (which was featured on MSN homepage on an article for WIWT). 

  

 

Should have tidied my bed.

 

 

So happy to be wearing this skirt again! So happy to have kept it for this long.  The dates on my diary have to be lying to me.  It can't be the 7th of May today.  Apparently it isn't, which is why I am so surprised that I go to Rotterdam next week! Next week I have asked to take back in the TBU conference.  This is an traveller blogs conference were bloggers are giving the opportunity to interact with each other and help brainstorm ideas for their blogs.  It also allows people to meet face to face rather than all through a computer screen.  You may ask well why are you going Laurina, you are hardly a traveller blogger.  Well I know that but they also have other niche blogs including fashion! So I have been asked to attend next week to discuss my blog and why I think it has been successful so far.  No pressure! Keep an eye out on what I will be wearing, packing and also the beautiful city of Rotterdam! 

 

Time flies when you are having..

"Time is your only enemy, it disappears very quickly and never gives you a second chance.” Stevie Douglas

H&M Black Basic top

Zara Black skinny jeans

Zara brown lace up boots-similar here

Alex and Ani stacking bracelets from Argento

 

 

I feel like I have been looking my computer straight since Monday and have literally just looked up from the screen, hit my phone and it is now Thursday. Not only that but it is now May.  By which I am completely embracing the longer daylight hours, the slight raise in temperature by wearing all black.  Granted I have no sleeves on but if I look back to the 1st outfit post that I put up, I feel like I haven't made an progress.

 

 

Ok, my hair may be cleaner. (only slightly) and no more uggs but thats because of the warmer weather.  So do I have an excuse??? I was trying to achieve a sort of sleek look for today, I had converse in my bag to wear but I have kept the boots on.  We have no customers at the minute and I have simply been gutting the office of anything we don't need so it is nice and tidy for the managing director coming over to visit us in two weeks.  So yeah, not my best look. Really not my best look.

 

 

So this is me at Disneyland Paris in December. Connor and I went to Paris for 5 days over new years eve but now we have decided to take it a step further.  Some of you may have read before that we have booked another holiday to go to Italy at the start of June.  Well that has been scrapped.  Now we are going to florida!!!!! 12 days of the ultimate bucket list ticking off, swimming with dolphins, Harry Potter world, Disney World, Universal studios,  Nasa, Tampa, you name it, we plan to do it.  AHHHHHH I can't wait.  Thank god, I kept these ears!

 

 

But the reason I am telling you this is the fact that I have stupidly booked a trip to America and I can not shop.  Our hotel is right beside the Premium Outlet Mall and I can not buy a thing from it.  Blonde must be my middle name. Or I should have included a rule in the rule book that I could shop when I was not in the UK.  Not only that but I can't buy anything for going.  I don't think that will be a problem, I got my summer wardrobe down from my store and it was a lot more than I expected.  Also, I plan to be naked this whole holiday so I can get an all round tan.  But Connor has already has subtle hits that I would like some Victoria Secret underwear for my birthday in July. Hint Hint Hint if you are reading this Mr Pop.

 

 

Have you been to florida? If so let me know any tips or places we should def go!

Ice White Baby

"Most nights I end up wearing a wife beater white tshirt and boxers." Jessica Alba

Dunnes White tshirt-similar here

Zara green cargo pant

Long Stills Caridgan

 

 

Today is Wednesday, 2 days to Friday and next week is May! Jesus, where is the time going?? But yes, hump day aka back to basics day on my blog.  The basic today is the thing all girls and prob boys should have in their wardrobe, a nice quality white tshirt.  This one I picked up a few years ago in Dunnes and I loved it so much I went back and bought it in black! Always keep an eye out if they bring it out again in other colours but they never have.

 

There really isn't any expectation for why you should have a white tshirt in your wardrobe or the benefits of it.  I think everyone knows, it is just so simple to wear and you can pair it with virtual anything.  No point giving a big spile on why you need it, if you don't have one, get one.  Find one that fits you nicely and then buy two of them! (I know myself and know that one day I will spill something on it & be like aw no! I wish I had bought two!)

 

Some shops that have great basics are H&M, Topshop, Asos, All Saints, Primark, just depends your money range, sizing and style that you are looking for. 

 

 

Check out the gorgeous photos I just got through! These photos are help to promote The Fashion Souk on the 4th of May at Spires Mall, Belfast! I will be there selling my previously loved clothes  in among some gorgeous designed jewellery, clothes and accessoires on the 4th of May.  You could too! If you are interested in taking a stall, email the lovely ladies of The Fashion Souk for more info! Info@thefashionsouk.com

 

 



 

 

 

Jingle jangle

 

"Jewellery takes people's attention off your wrinkles" Sarah Phillips

 

Light H&M Denim Shirt

Striped Jumper Topshop-Similar here

Zara Navy Blazer

Navy Topshop Leigh skinny jeans

 

 

For a girl who used to get ready in 3mins flat as I was too lazy to get out of bed before quarter past 9 when I start work at half 9 & it takes 12mins to walk to work, the fact that I was out of bed was as amazing as when moses spread the red sea. Why you ask? I was lucky enough to be asked to attend the Argento Summer Catalogue shoot for a sneak peek at some of their gorgeous jewellery. A known favourite on the high street in the UK and Ireland showcasing the finest jewellery including Alex and Ani, Pandora, Pilgrim, Thomas Sabo and many more. All girls love a bit of sparkle and bling bling, as I type this I am jingle jangling with my Alex and Ani bracelets so an opportunity to have a trying on session with the up and coming pieces for the summer was worth getting out of bed for.

 

 

However, this smiling face is not someone you want to see early on a Tuesday morning when your eyes are still puffy and you feel groggy. The lovely girls from Argento had a brief for the shoot and simply put, it was to be as natural as possible. Promoting the products and helping to enhance them with laid-bare beauty, no fuss, no frills. Soft, simple but defined who better to compliment the jewellery that the gorgeous Naoise Tan. Now I have worked with Naoise before, (I actually did a catwalk with Naoise and 3 other girls were I was driving & I went to pick them up & all of them were wearing their school uniforms. God did I feel the mummy of the group.) A regular at BFW & face of BT2 in Dublin, not only is she gorgeous, lovely to talk to but she is smart. We had a quick catch up as she is trying to decide on degrees or to take a year out, medicine and law were mentioned. (Yesterday morning I had no hoover bags left so sat outside picking the dust out of the old one. The joys of picking a PR degree!!)

 

 

My main man, Mr Paddy McGurgan was doing the makeup. As natural as possible, Paddy focused mainly on the foundation as he wanted to reflect the light & having Naoise skin glowing. Hair was soft curls gently styled into place by the legendary Joe McGivern. The photos were being taken by the genius that is Khara Pringle.  Now less about the gorgeous model and more about the jewellery!!!

 

So here's a sneak peek of the jewellery for the morning part of the shoot.  All of Argento's own brands, gorgeous bracelets by Karma, Nakamol wrap bracelets, Dirty Ruby rings, I wanted to steal them all. I fell in love with this arrow ring (ignore my grubby five year old style dirty nails).  One of the girls on the shoot, Sarah then pointed out that she had designed it herself.  Imagine that feeling of seeing people wearing and loving your designs! Def going on my wishlist!

 

 

Below are photos from the afternoon shoot including jewellery brands like Alex and Ani, Hely designs, Antonio Ben Chimol and Nakamol. All of these are available in Argento stores and online.

 

 

 

Stacking bracelets is totally in this season.  Check out these gorgeous colours of aqua, silver and beige, perfect colours for coming into the mid season! I loved these wrap bracelets paired with Alex and Ani bracelets. To have a nosey at the full collections, check out Argento's website: Argento Website or keep an eye out for the Summer catalogue featuring the gorgeous Naoise. 

Blazing Blazer

"Maybe some women aren't meant to be tamed, maybe they need to run free until they find some one just as wild to run with them." Anna Wintour

Stills Purple Fine knit top

Zara Basic beige trousers

Zara Horseriding Blazer

Pia Rossini Picardi scarf

 

 

I love blazers. I probably have one in every single colour in my wardrobe so for me they are definitely a stable basic.  They instantly make an outfit chic, I wear them to work, out at night, day to day casual wear.  You name it, I am probably wearing a blazer too.  Zara do the best blazers in my opinion, it is the first thing I am drawn to when I walk into their shop.  The quality and shaping of them mean they last for years.  The one I am wearing was bought 3 years ago on a shopping trip to Barcelona with my mum and I still love it. 

So when I do this basic posts every Wednesday, I am of course talking about my shape and style.  I am petite but in my head I like to think I have good size boobs and a good size bum for my boyish shape.  But last night, I was lying in bed researching about different shapes and sizes for women.  I mean whats the point of writing a blog post on great basics for a wardrobe when they don't apply to you.  I always try to think of pieces that suit all shapes and sizes but then again that's my opinion.  I think that any shape or sized woman could pull of a blazer of any colour but it is about what you feel comfortable wearing.  So I came across this flowchart & I wanted to share it with you cause I found it quite an interesting read. (Click it & it will make it bigger)

http://www.triactol.com/blog/

 

 

 

Tonight I am away to do a photo shoot with the lovely ladies from The Fashion Souk which I will be helping to promote for their next event which is on the 4th of May.  So tune in tomorrow for all the details and behind the scenes photos. I am away to make my mad dash across town after work! I drive a white polo, please wave if you see me. 



 

One of the 7 dwarves

"I can be a bit grumpy.  I am full of horomones and angst." Nicholas Hoult

White Vest top Benetton-similar here

Urban Outfitters Painter Shirt-similar here

Urban Outfitters navy leggings

Topshop belt-similar here 

 

Nice and easy basic day today. String tops.  I have about 40 of them in every single colour, in colours that you probably haven't even seen before but I have them.  My mum used to always buy me a couple as stocking fillers at Christmas, just to have.  They are great, I wear them all year round, under tops, by themselves. You don't need every colour like me but maybe black, white and then a coloured one that you would wear often. All mine are from Benetton and last for years.

 

I'm grumpy. I've noticed that in the last two weeks that I am more stressed, more worrisome, easily irrigated. I don't know why, it's not like life is hard at the minute. Gorgeous boyfriend, great friends, fab job and my blog is going from strength to strength. But still it's that annoying voice inside your head messing with your happiness. I am so focused on everyone else around me that I am getting left behind. So how would I normally fix this??? I would go shopping.

Am I grumpy because I am not shopping? The feeling of spoiling yourself, the feeling of how good a new top or dress makes you feel, I miss that. I haven't spoilt myself in over 3 months. It's not that I think everyone needs to shop to feel good but I haven't treated myself in ages. I booked a holiday for Connor & I for June & the 1 thing I want to do is go buy a bikini but I can't. That one thing isn't hard but everything on top of that is tough.

 Hoody lovingly made by Zoe J Watson

Topshop Basic Vest

Asos Cycling Shorts-similar here

 

So when Jayne suggested to me that we go try Bikram yoga, I thought why not. If anyone knows me personally they know that gyms & Laurina don't mix. I have never been into a gym, don't exercise & I even get out of breath walking up the stairs. So for me to be like Hey, that actually sounds like fun is a biggy. But I thought why not, something different & fun to do on a Tuesday night. So off we went Hill street (just near the merchant) & upstairs to Flow Studio yoga. (Here's there website if you interested Flow Studio We were greeted by funky candles, fluffy pillows & a sign saying please take your shoes off. (I have really smelly feet so was a bit apparasive.)

The teacher, I don't even know her name (found out it is Elizabeth now!) but she was one of these people that you wonder if they get periods. She was so happy & care free, usually I am not a massive fan of these type of people as to me it all seems false & over the top & makes me feel awful cause I'm
a grumpy b**tch. How my opinion changed. The yoga went on for an hour & a half in 32 degree heat & at one point, she can up behind me, massages my shoulders & whispered in my ear "I'm just behind you sweetie." Well I think I fell in love with her at that minute. I loved it, it was £8 but you can buy package deals so I def will be going back! I feel more relaxed (could be the Thai that Jayne & Zara had afterwards)  I am not too sore today, more stiff than anything especially between my shoulders.

All tied up

"I'm not really a fashion designer. I just love clothes. I've never been to design school. I can't sketch. I can't cut patterns and things. I can shorten things. I can make a dress out of a scarf." Kate Moss

Stills Top

Take Two Jeans

Picardi Pia Rossini Scarf

Primark Long layered necklace-similar here

On Monday night I made one of my mad dashes out of work at 5pm to Bangor (well as mad a dash I could do in the traffic!!) I was invited by my lovely friend Tara (who I actually stole my job from when she went to Australia travelling) to view the AW 13 collection and other collections of the gorgeous Northern Irish Fashion and accessories company, Pia Rossini!

I was helping out by taking part in 2 video blogs on how to wear their Resort collection Sarongs and their SS & AW scarfs & a sneaky peak at some SS14 prints. I love scarves, I love how they can completely change a look or an outfit. Usually I just fling it around my neck & away I go but Tara showed me 10 different ways to wear a scarf & 6 ways to wear a sarong.

It was nice to be introduced to new ways on how to wear scarves and I will def be trying the different looks in the future though some were a bit complication for a blond like me! Took me a couple of goes!

My make up was done by the lovely Leigh Crawford! Really simple natural make up, Leigh works in Clinque & has freelanced on hit HBO series The Game of Thrones & dozen of weddings and formals.  I'd like to steal her & fold her up in my make up drawer so that she can just pop out to do my make up when she wants.  I was so embarrassed as well cause I had a second head growing on my cheek and her skin was flawless. The things you notice when people are doing your make up!! Check her out on: Leigh Crawford Make up

With each new styling, I had a new scarf & I probably paid more attention to the actual scarves than I did to what I was doing with it! They were all so nice, colours were gorgeous! The Pia Rossini scarves are available across the UK in department stores, online retailers & independent boutiques. It's not just scarves, it's gloves, wraps, hats, snoods, kaftans, dresses. To be honest, I did get gifted a few gorgeous pieces so keep an eye out for me parading my new bits & pieces! (It's gifted so its ok!!!)

If you want to find out more about Pia Rossini & find out where your nearest stockist is, simply go to the website www.piarossini.com & email your postcode to the lovely ladies in the office. They will let you know your nearest local independent boutique.

Here's some links to check them out!

Www.piarossini.com
Facebook: Pia Rossini
Twitter: @PiaRossiniLtd
Pinterest: Pia Rossini
YouTube: PiaRossini

Again, I love how this blog has allowed me to be introduced to another great Northern Irish fashion & accessorise company! Fabulous! Keep an eye out for the videos! Please excuse my accent!!!

Backstage secrets

"I've been known to throw watermelons, backstage, at people who are giving me news I don't want to hear. But I never aim for the head." Tori Amos

Kigu Dragon

 

 

This was me on Saturday morning. What an outfit of the day, I think it is my favourite so far.  Sadly, my Fashion Swap in association with Ikea and Belfast Fashionweek got postponed due to the weather.  (It is now on Thursday the 28th of March but more on that later). So I curled up in my dragon for a while, caught up on blog posts and then meet my mum and little sister in town.  I think my mum feels sorry for me cause I can't buy anything.  I just follow her around as she tries stuff on and comment on things like a good little daughter should.  Though I must be honest, she bought me a shirt.  It was more to keep her happy than anything, every two seconds was can I buy you this? can i buy you this? How about this? NO MUM! I accepted the shirt gracefully though, just to keep her happy of course.  So that's a total of 3 items of clothing bought for me in 2013, 3 items of clothing in 3 months, 1 for each month.  I can't believe I have gone from buying nearly 3 pieces a week to getting given 3 items of clothing as presents in 3 months. Here is the shirt my mum got me, I know another one shirt but this ones has buttons!!

 

 

Zara White Shirt

 

 

After a lovely afternoon with my mum, it was off to the final night of BFW which I was starring in!  Backstage really felt like Belfast Fashionweek, everyone was buzzing and the atmosphere was hectic. Eleven female models, two male models, 9 children models and 9 hair models.  That's a lot of foundation, hair spray, pouting, posing and catwalking. Of course as I was backstage during the show I was unable to take photos of the gorgeous High street looks but here is a collection of backstage photos just for you lucky readers.

 

After the main catwalk show was the Andrew Mulvenna hair show.  Andrew wanted to take the audience on a journey through hair styles of the past, present and future.  There was 9 girls in total, 3 for past, 3 for present and 3 for future.  I was one of the future girls, channelling my inner super hero! My hair was backcombed, sprayed gold and extensions added.  I have never had extensions in my hair, my head felt so heavy!!!  I then had a mask painted on my face to complete the look.  As the hair show was more relaxed, we were able to have more fun with our poses on the catwalk.  I think there is a photo of me going around where I have arm in the air like supergirl about to fly off and save someone in need!

 

So that is it, Belfast Fashionweek over for another season! This has been a season to remember! Well done to all the BFW team, Andrew Mulvenna & his creative team, Paddy McGurgan and his make up team and the CMPR team for another great year!

That was a long tea break

"Strange how a teapot can represent at the same time the comforts of solitude and the pleasures of company." Author Unknown

 

 

Well that was a lovely tea break! Pretty long to be honest! Sorry about that, I haven't stopped and it hasn't helped that since the city wide power cut on Friday night, my phone has been messing me around! Ggggrrrr! Who is sick of the snow??? I am currently looking at holidays on my other tab bars, curled up in bed with the electric blanket on listening to the wind howling.  (It's Sunday night as I write this.)

 

So a thank you to Stephen Potter for letting me use his images to finish off my review of Friday's Designer and Boutique at Belfast Fashionweek.  I didn't want to forget the last two shops because there clothing is always gorgeous and tops off Friday night with a bang!

 

 

First shop is the gorgeous Blush! When I was reading the running order for Friday night, I just knew that I couldn't wait for this shop to show their Jenny Packham dresses.  Aw thus begins the fantasy wedding that I have going on in my head while wearing a Jenny Packham dress on a beach with no shoes on.

 

 

 

 

The last shop of the night was that of Jourdan on the Lisburn Road.  A favourite of my Agency boss, Mrs Alison Clarke, the dresses from this shop are perfect for all events and occasions. A day at the races, formals, to casual wear, the shop always supplies a shop stopper!

 

 

Again a well done to all who braved the snow on Friday night to come and see the show! It was one not to be missed! 



By George!

"I love going to my supermarket.  Sounds so Rock n Roll, doesn't it?" Rachel Stevens

White Zara Blazer

H&M Black Playsuit-similar here

 

 

So 3 amazing things happened last night, 1) Belfast Fashionweek opened with a bang 2) A blizzard has blanketed Northern Ireland in snow 3) I went to bed with one of the boys from Hanson.  So here, I am again rocking the monochrome look again.  I had a completely different outfit planned, tried it on for my housemates and they oooohhed and ahhhhhed on wednesday night but I changed my mind in work yesterday.  I wanted to rock this look with bare legs but it was way too cold so has been logged in my brain to re use over the summer.  That is if we ever get a summer.  Now I was pretty proud of myself last night, since starting to blog I try to follow as many blogs as possible near and wide, fashion to travel to beauty.  Most beauty bloggers will do vlogs (video blogs) on how to do a certain make up trend so I had this idea in my head of Mary-Kate Oslen and braids for a hairstyle.  As usual I had no time to fit in a hair appointment with work so I thought aw I will watch a vlog on youtube and give it a go! Well could we not be sisters?!?!  HA

 

I was accompanied to George at BFW by my lovely BFF Mis Zoe J Watson.She looked beaut as ever but of course, she had to wear the one thing that I have lusted after since starting this challenge. These beaut Zara kitten heels, £30.  They are the only thing in 3 months of not shopping that I have looked at and went omg I need them in my life. What kind of best friend is that?

 

Zara Chain Court Shoe

 

 

So new season, new venue for Belfast Fashion week and I must say I loved the change of scene.  This year, it is being held in the Ulster Museum.  No joke but I was sitting front row, watching the gorgeous models strut past in their clothes with the bones of a dinosaur behind them. Interesting to say the least. Rather than a raised catwalk, it was a simple white ground catwalk that wrapped around the room.  To me, it felt more relaxed as the models were so close rather than on a raised platform so the atmosphere had a subtle difference to the norm but I liked it. I kept trying to make my housemate Jayne and my BFF Jenny who were both in the show laugh when they walked past! Ooooopppsss ;) 

 

 

 

 

I was really impressed with George at Asda last night.  The colours were perfectly on trend, neon, floral, all white and everything could have been designer chic. Loved the wedge trainers too! They were a favourite of mine, especially the all grey ones as I haven't even seen that colour in the big high street shops.  The girls hair was curled to an inch of its life by the wonderful creative team from Andrew Mulvenna while the boys was simple and straight. (Hence why I went to bed with one of the boys from Hanson, Connor's hair is usually a mess of curls, never have I seen it look so neat!) The make up, done by the fab Paddy McGurgan and his team was a simple white eye and a colour pop lip of pastel colours. Here are some of my favourite looks from the catwalk.

 

 

Caitlyn - White Scuba Dress £16

Connor aka my cocopops - Vintage Hawailan Print Swimshorts £7

Jayne - Yellow Boucle Dress £18

Jenny - Pink dress with Black Cut Out £18

 

 

Finola - Palm Print Swimsuit £12

 

 







That's one thing I will miss being able to buy this year. Bikinis!!! George had some lovely ones, most of the stock shown last night was from their High Summer collection which will be in the shops soon so definately keep an eye out for it! 10/10 from me!